Why Hiring A Cheap Developer Will Ruin Your App

Are you getting ready to build an app for your business? Have you been shopping around for a developer who can help you turn your vision into a reality?Initially, your number one consideration might be price, which makes sense. It’s tempting to try and find the cheapest person possible, especially if you’re an entrepreneur with a limited budget. In reality, though, hiring a cheap app developer is a terrible idea for your business. Read on to find out why.

Reduced Quality

If you hire a cheap app developer, there’s a good chance that you’ll end up compromising on quality.Because they’re not getting paid very much for their work, there’s not much incentive for the developer to invest a lot of time and effort into your app. It’s highly likely that they’ll just throw something together quickly so they can pocket your money and move on to the next project.

Reputation and Revenue

Remember, the way your app looks and functions is a major part of your brand. If you want people to think favorably about your business and become loyal app users and customers, you need to invest in a great app developer. Sites such as Clutch and Goodfirms are great resources for looking into a company's reviews and project history. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself hit with negative reviews. These negative reviews, in turn, can lead to people either deleting your app after they’ve downloaded it or failing to download it at all. In both cases, you’ll end up with fewer earnings than you would have if you’d worked with a better app developer, to begin with.

Less Experience and Talent

Often, the app developers who charge the lowest prices are also the app developers who have the least amount of experience and/or talent.Think of it this way. The best app developers know what they’re worth, and they’re willing to ask for it.If you pick the cheapest developer you can find, there’s a good chance you’ll end up sacrificing experience and knowledge about how to create a good-looking and highly functional app.

Templates vs Custom Apps

One way that cheap app developers cut corners is by using templates to create their clients’ apps.Templates can get the job done in a pinch, and they’re better than nothing. However, they’re also not the same as creating a custom, built-from-scratch app just for you and your business. If you wanted an app that was made with a template, you could have just built it yourself, right? If you’re going to invest in an app developer, you might as well make sure you’re spending money on someone who does the job correctly from start to finish.

Reduced Usability

Often, apps made by cheap, inexperienced developers don’t provide the same user experience as high-quality apps made by professionals.Poor user experience will lead to frustration for your audience. This, in turn, will result in negative reviews, lower download rates, and a general decline in your business’s profits.

Re-Building Expenses

What are you going to do if you pay a cheap developer to throw together an app with a poor user experience? How will you cope when the negative reviews start rolling in and download rates start to plummet?For most business owners, the only solution, short of shutting down the operation altogether, is to spend more money fixing the app and making it better.At the end of the day, you might spend as much money as (if not more than) you would have on a more experienced developer. Wouldn’t it be better to just invest the money upfront rather than rushing around trying to clean up the mess later?

How Much Should You Spend on an App Developer?

Okay, you’re convinced that you need to factor in more than price when looking to hire an app developer. You know you shouldn’t look for the person with the cheapest rates possible, but you’re probably also wondering how much money you should allocate to app development. As a general rule, we recommend budgeting at least $20k for your app developer. This is the average price you’ll need to pay for someone who has the experience and talent necessary to create a great-looking and functional app for your business. To learn more about how much apps cost to build, and appropriate budgets, check out this article.

What if You Can’t Afford to Spend That Much?

If you’re running a small business or are just getting started in the app world, you might be wondering how you’re going to come up with at least $20k to spend on an app developer.There are a few options you can consider if you don’t have that much cash to spare to hire a developer. For example, you can reach out to investors to see if they would be willing to help fund your app idea in exchange for partial ownership. You can also reach out to small business lenders to find out about loan options for companies like yours.Remember, it’s often worth it to borrow money or work with an investor initially. If it helps you access the money you need to pay a high-quality developer, you can expect a larger return on your investment than if you cut corners and worked with a cheaper developer. We offer financing plans for our clients to help with the financial investment of building an app. To learn more about our financing plans, click here.

Beyond Budget: What Else to Look for in an App Developer

Clearly, price isn’t everything when it comes to hiring an app developer. That being said, a high price tag doesn’t automatically guarantee a great finished product. If you’re going to invest a significant chunk of change into your app, you need to feel confident that the end result will be exactly what you’re hoping for. Here are some additional tips to help you choose the right developer:

Ask About Experience

How long has the developer been working? Where did they receive their app development training? What kinds of apps do they work on most often?Learning the answers to these questions will help you to ensure you’re hiring someone who’s knowledgeable and understands what it takes to create an amazing finished product.

Look at Their Portfolio

It’s great to hear from the developer what kind of experience they have. It’s even better if you can see their work for yourself, though.Always ask to check out a developer’s portfolio before you pull the trigger. This gives you a chance to assess their past work and see if it aligns with your goals and vision.

Ask for References

Be sure to ask for references, too. Get in touch with past clients to see what they have to say about the developer you’re thinking about hiring.They’ll be able to tell you if the developer’s work is worth their rate. They’ll also be able to tell you if they would work with that developer again.

Consider Communication

Finally, make an appointment to talk to the developer on the phone, via video chat, or in-person if they’re local. This gives you a chance to consider their communication style. Remember, it’s much easier to work with someone to get a great app if you get along with them and feel comfortable asking questions or expressing concerns.

Hire the Right App Developer Today

When you’re looking to hire an app developer, it’s tempting to try and save money by working with the cheapest person you can find. In the long run, though, you might end up spending more to fix the mistakes they made and make sure your app is actually usable. Assess your budget today and start saving up so you can hire the best developer for the job. Keep the tips listed above for narrowing down your search in mind, too, so you know what other factors to consider when vetting candidates. To get a free quote from our team, click here.